Limited budget in combination with the need of quality acquisitions is probably the every day situation for a hardcore football manager. Let's see how to deal with it...
You are in desperate need of a quality player? No problem, just search the FM database and pick the best guy from the list. What’s that? Oh, your budget is embarrassingly small.
Well, you are not alone out there. We all were in that situation so many times. It is so frustrating when there’s just not enough money, and need is urgent. In this situation you will probably spend many painful hours searching for that one guy who has what you need and cost just as much as you are able to pay him. Here’s some help with that:
15. Thiago Almada
- Position: AM (LC), ST (C)
- Age: 18 years old
- Nationality: Argentina
- Club: Vélez
- Value: 2.9 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2024.
- Great Flair and Vision
- Naturally fit player
- Fantastic potential
A product of Velez’s academy, Almada began attracting attention with consistent performances for club and country in 2019. Since former Manchester United player Gabriel Heinze took over the club, younger players began to get far more time on the pitch. Almada profited the most out of this.
Thiago is able to play in the center or on the wing of the attacking midfield. He often gives the width to his team and moves into positions to receive the ball. He also tends to take his defender directly, and uses every opportunity to shoot outside of the box.
All in all fantastic ability and potential, for a modest price.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/151094/thiago-almada/
14. Sergiy Rybalka
- Position: DM, M/AM (C)
- Age: 29 years old
- Nationality: Ukraine
- Club: Sivasspor
- Value: 0,8 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2021.
- Great experience
- Very good vision on overall play
- Naturally fit
Rybalka is a very experienced, quality midfielder. Currently playing for Turkish top tier side Sivasspor, Rybalka really made his career in Dynamo Kyiv. Not always the first option in the first team, Sergiy was loaned to Slovan Liberec where he contributed massively. After return to Dynamo Kyiv, Rybalka was excellent and was a very important piece of Dynamo’s championship puzzle.
Sergiy Rybalka is a great addition to any side. His main force in the midfield play is the ability to contribute defensively and immediately transform to attacking midfielder. His vision and passing are great and he will make a difference from set pieces.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149675/sergiy-rybalka/
13. Milan Pavkov
- Position: ST (C)
- Age: 25 years old
- Nationality: Serbia
- Club: Red Star Belgrade
- Value: 0.78 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2022.
- Fantastic in air
- Very strong
- Relishes big matches
What? Never heard of Milan Pavkov? Well no wonder there, he plays in Serbian Super Liga. But, if you are CL fan chances are you witnessed his fantastic performance in 2:0 win against Liverpool in Belgrade, during the group stage, after which Liverpool won CL. This guy scored both Red Star’s goals (header after the corner and screamer from 25+ meters) against best European goalkeeper (Alison) and best European defender (VVD). Impressive don’t you think?
His stats in FM20 are pretty solid, mental attributes going high and physical witnessing his strength and aerial dominance. He may not be a star material but, in all but top sides this guy will make a difference in front of the opposition’s goal. Dominant in air, great movement off the ball, and high composure will ensure lots of goals in every campaign. Also, he can still polish his skills. Best of all, he’s under 1M and will make an immediate impact for sure.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155809/milan-pavkov/
12. Borna Sosa
- Position: D/WB (L)
- Age: 21 years old
- Nationality: Croatia
- Club: VfB Stuttgart
- Value: 2.9 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- High composure and team work will make him very useful team player
- His mental attributes are amazingly rounded
- Great potential
Sosa could be a great addition for any top flight team. He may not have the highest potential but that attribute mix optimizes what ability the Croatian does have and his price tag is an absolute bargain.
A technical full back Sosa has good speed, composure, teamwork and makes good decisions. That crossing and passing ability are very tempting, especially for someone who utilizes the full back positions in attack. Everything suggests that Sosa will be developing consistently, so a safe bet and guaranteed return on investment.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/150466/borna-sosa/
11. Thiago Silva
- Position: DC
- Age: 34 years old
- Nationality: Brazil
- Club: PSG
- Value: 5.9 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2020.
- Extremely experienced DC.
- Excellent mental stats.
- Amazingly high physical stats for his age.
Thiago Silva is among the best DCs ever. His trophy room is fantastic and he’s on the highest level for a long time now. The seasoned Brazilian defender has just turned 35 but he is still meanly locking the Parisian backline and could flourish under the right manager. His experience would also prove invaluable for anyone looking to develop a young center-back.
Best thing: he’ll sign for free on a Bosman ruling after January 2020.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/148973/thiago-silva/
10. Fedor Chalov
- Position: ST (C)
- Age: 21 years old
- Nationality: Russia
- Club: CSKA Moscow
- Value: 3.2 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2022.
- Very fast
- Tremendous mental stats
- Will develop in a fantastic player
From Russia with love. This young CSKA star is going places for sure. His technical stats are nothing special, but look at that mental! With 21 years of age, and determination, bravery, off the ball, team work and vision this high, he will develop into a top player in the right environment. He has great potential.
Fedor is a very unselfish player and exploits the space very cleverly both to make himself available and to make space for other teammates. His intelligence on the football pitch makes him a fantastic option in the final third. Chalov’s confidence and composure in front of goal came apparent when he scored against Real Madrid and Arsenal in CL last year. It’s these qualities that mark him out as one of the most intelligent young strikers in Europe.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149626/fedor-chalov/
9. Alan Dzagoev
- Position: DM, M/AM (C)
- Age: 29 years old
- Nationality: Russia
- Club: CSKA Moscow
- Value: 3 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2021.
- Fantastic experience
- Extremely determined
- Master of the midfield
Dzagoev is a fantastically experienced, consistent and determined midfielder. He will fit right into your first team, and he’ll make a significant difference in quality even in top clubs. This Russian international plays for very good CSKA Moscow side, and has made a sort of legendary status among the fans over there.
Alan’s determination, loyalty and tendency to leave the last atom of strength on the pitch made him an extremely valuable player for any side. There were lots of big clubs chasing him in earlier years, but now is your chance to clinch his signature for a fair amount of money.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149752/alan-dzagoev/
8. Marc Stendera
- Position: M/AM (C)
- Age: 23 years old
- Nationality: Germany
- Club: Hannover 96
- Value: 2.1 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2020.
- Great technical stats
- High Vision and Flair
- Very good potential
Marc Stendera is one of the most talented young players in Germany at the moment. Unfortunately, cruciate ligament rupture injury significantly set back his career. Nevertheless he is still young and his potential is still there.
Equally capable of playing in the center, as he is out wide, Stendera has a low center of gravity, great technique and fantastic in one-on-one situations. He prefers attacking roles better, and contributes massively both to build up play and to executions. Also, he’s quite inexpensive.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/151251/marc-stendera/
7. Dejan Joveljic
- Position: ST (C)
- Age: 20 years old
- Nationality: Serbia
- Club: RSC Anderlecht
- Value: 3 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2024.
- Fantastic movement off the ball
- Naturally fit
- Great finisher
When Red Star let go of this kid for a mere 3.6M to Eintracht Frankfurt, not many heads turned in awe. But let me tell you, this one is an amazing prospect. Dejan scored stunning 44 goals in just 28 games for Red Star’s young team, and 11 goals in 22 games for the senior side. Pure goal-scoring machine, isn’t he?
He didn't quite bounce very good in Frankfurt so they loaned him to Anderlecht.. Great environment for a young striker to develop. Although still young, Joveljić has amazing instincts in the box, and his goal-scoring ability is fantastic. Not only that, but he is also able to link play pretty good and his movement off the ball, aerial ability and pace make him mobile and lethal finisher already.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/150256/dejan-joveljic/
6. Benjamin Henrichs
- Position: D (RL), DM
- Age: 22 years old
- Nationality: German
- Club: AS Monaco
- Value: 5.4 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- Fantastically rounded attributes
- Very good potential
- Tremendous physical stats
Henrichs started his early career as a central midfielder initially, and he benefited massively from that situation. A tactically proficient and technically sound defender is an invaluable member of any squad especially one versatile as Benjamin. Able to play on both full back positions and even in a defensive midfield position if needed, Henrich brings stability and width to the squad.
His value is still reachable and his wages are not too high. It’ll be quite a struggle signing him but it’ll definitely be worth it.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149173/benjamin-henrichs/
5. Predrag Rajković
- Position: GK
- Age: 23 years old
- Nationality: Serbia
- Club: Stade de Reims
- Value: 4,8 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- Great potential
- True shot stopper
- Already made it to the national side
Predrag Rajković is a Serbian goalie, currently defending the Stade de Reims’s goal. He was part of FC Red Star Belgrade and as a proper wonderkid had a bright future ahead of him. However, the financial problems of the Belgrade side made them sell him at only 20 years old to a good paying customer, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In Israel, Predrag made 4 years of quality appearances starting almost every match. Good saves in UCL made Stade de Reims to make a move and he joined the French side in 2019. There, Predrag just exploded. Statistically one of the best European goalkeepers this season Rajković is experienced, but still young and with excellent potential. Very good signing for any side.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149294/predrag-rajkovic/
4. Evander
- Position: DM, M (C), AM (RLC)
- Age: 21 years old
- Nationality: Brazil
- Club: FC Midtjylland
- Value: 3.5 M
- Contract expires: 31.12.2024.
- Great potential
- Tremendous technical attributes
- Fantastic Vision and Flair
Evander da Silva Ferreira is a Brazilian attacking midfielder. He started in Vasco de Gama where his qualities were noticed rather early, and soon flew the ocean to join Danish side FC Midtjylland. They soon realized his value and bought him off completely.
Evander has amazingly developed technical attributes for his age. Vision, flair and anticipation are also very high which make can create, shoot and dribble, make himself able to receive the pass and also find his teammates in crucial situations.
Truly amazing quality for price ratio.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149884/evander/
3. Lisandro López
- Position: D (C)
- Age: 29 years old
- Nationality: Argentina
- Club: Boca Juniors
- Value: 3.5 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- Fantastic DC-important attributes
- Tremendous experience
- Very well rounded mental stats
Lisandro played for Genoa and Benfica before returning to Argentina and signing for Boca. His European experience will contribute to any side’s quality in the back. He is undoubtedly quality DC with all the important attributes going very high.
Lopez is insanely brave and determined, and his physical attributes are very well rounded. He is in his prime for a central defender, and you can snatch him for a modest price.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/150581/lisandro-lopez/
2. Ignacio Fernández
- Position: M (RLC), AM (RL)
- Age: 29 years old
- Nationality: Argentina
- Club: River Plate
- Value: 3.7 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- Great versatility
- Amazingly rounded attributes
- Very good experience
Ignacio spent his whole playing career in Argentina. In River Plate he is a very important player, and it won’t be an easy task to sign him. But it’ll be worth it.
He is inexpensive but contributes massively. His main force is versatility. He can play in the center and equally good on the wings, covering all attacking posts in the midfield. He scores and assists, shoots from distance and opens the space. His off the ball movement in the attack is fantastic, and his technic is truly amazing. Maybe the best in this price range.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149965/ignacio-fernandez/
1. Erling Haaland
- Position: ST(C)
- Age: 18 years old
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Club: FC red Bull Salzburg
- Value: 11.8 M
- Contract expires: 30.06.2023.
- Most gifted striker in the game
- Fantastic physical stats
- Great starting stats for a striker
Ok, he’s not cheap in general terms. But, he is absolute bargain when you weigh his quality and real-life value.
Norwegian wonderkid who plays as Striker for RB Salzburg in FM20 (if you don’t start with winter update) is proving his quality day after day in any competition you let him play. And he is freaking 18!
He has been handed his senior Norway debut already and was a regular at several junior levels for the country. Haaland is widely regarded as one of the best young forwards in the FM20 who is a natural goal scorer. He is a tall strong forward who is very clinical in front of the goal. He is touted as the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic having similar attributes to the legendary forward.
His stats are excellent to start with and become monstrous even under a computer manager making him one of the best players in the game.
Details on: https://fmdataba.com/20/p/148951/erling-haaland/
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